BB: CCIW: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[BigPoppa]

What the heck has happened to Carthage? Once a staple of not only the CCIW, but of the Central regional, let alone the World Series... they will now miss the CCIW tourney for the third straight season after 20+consecutive years of qualifying. I am hoping it is just a bad run of recruits(which is fixable) and not indicative of a larger problem(which may not be).

Anyone have any insights to offer. I feel as though I am the only Carthage fan still on these boards

[voiceofseason]

A few comments:

I've seen every home game for IWU this year I believe.  I would, at this point, just be happy with one win over Elmhurst and a tournament berth.  The 2010 team was mentioned - they were a LOT better than this team, despite their 20 losses.  For one thing, their pitching depth was great.  IWU has a couple arms that can beat anybody, but they also have some new faces that likely need seasoning before being a factor in game 3, 4 or 5 of a tournament.  Would love to be wrong about that.

I can't imagine Augie not sweeping Millikin and hosting the tournament.  Of the travel options, at least that is the easiest if the tournament won't be in Bloomington.

Carthage is a puzzle. I didn't see them this year, and I realize you don't win by reputation, but it's hard not to see them as a contender every year like they were for so many years. The last big win I recall was the Bobby Thomsonesque home run by Mike Pugliese in the CCIW tournament against IWU in 2011.  It shocks me that they have not been in the mix of late.

I haven't seen Trey Martin this year, but with the exception of Illinois State's Paul DeJong, North Park's Tommy Endres is the best hitter I've seen this season. The kid not only battles every at bat, he battles every pitch.  Very patient as well.  I'm not sure what his weekend stats were at IWU, but he was a tough out every time up.

[mr_b]

I haven't seen Trey Martin this year, but with the exception of Illinois State's Paul DeJong, North Park's Tommy Endres is the best hitter I've seen this season. The kid not only battles every at bat, he battles every pitch.  Very patient as well.  I'm not sure what his weekend stats were at IWU, but he was a tough out every time up.

Tommy finished 8-for-14 (.571) with 2 runs scored and three driven in.  He also had a double and two stolen bases.  He was driving the ball very well, even when he made outs.

[Gregory Sager]

A few comments:

I've seen every home game for IWU this year I believe.  I would, at this point, just be happy with one win over Elmhurst and a tournament berth.  The 2010 team was mentioned - they were a LOT better than this team, despite their 20 losses.  For one thing, their pitching depth was great.  IWU has a couple arms that can beat anybody, but they also have some new faces that likely need seasoning before being a factor in game 3, 4 or 5 of a tournament.

I agree with this, but I'd also add that the Titans are pretty pedestrian offensively. They're fourth in batting average, fourth in slugging percentage, fifth in on-base percentage, and, more importantly, waaay behind the leaders in all three categories. The fielding's not really good, either -- the Titans turn a lot of double plays but have difficulty making the routine play. In their current 1-7 skid over their last eight games (all played against the other three contenders), the Titans have committed 22 errors.

I don't necessarily want to see the Titans in the tourney, because Johnson is an outstanding pitcher, Hart now seems to have found himself, and Truesdale and Munyon have to be respected out of the bullpen. But I certainly don't fear them. If Elmhurst's trend holds up of getting just enough improvement out of that soggy pitching staff to allow those nasty Bluejays bats to keep the team competitive, I think that the 'jays could be just as formidable an opponent as IWU in the conference tourney.

I can't imagine Augie not sweeping Millikin and hosting the tournament.  Of the travel options, at least that is the easiest if the tournament won't be in Bloomington.

That may be true for you, but for all of us who live in Chicagoland, that trip to the QC is a killer.

Carthage is a puzzle. I didn't see them this year, and I realize you don't win by reputation, but it's hard not to see them as a contender every year like they were for so many years. The last big win I recall was the Bobby Thomsonesque home run by Mike Pugliese in the CCIW tournament against IWU in 2011.  It shocks me that they have not been in the mix of late.

... and, as I mentioned last week, Carthage is the most senior-dominated team in the league. It's going to be very interesting to see how Augie Schmidt fares in terms of re-stocking his larder for next season.

The program that really makes me nervous is Augustana. Take a look at the roster for the Doggies. There are only three seniors on it: Stewart, Van Duyne, a little-used backup infielder ... and that's it. Augustana is going to be a monster in 2015.

I haven't seen Trey Martin this year, but with the exception of Illinois State's Paul DeJong, North Park's Tommy Endres is the best hitter I've seen this season. The kid not only battles every at bat, he battles every pitch.  Very patient as well.  I'm not sure what his weekend stats were at IWU, but he was a tough out every time up.

Both of the new corner outfielders that Luke Johnson brought in this past off-season as transfers -- Tommy Endres and Brett Bernal -- have been real difference-makers at the plate in 2014 for the Vikings. I'm excited about the fact that they'll be around next year as well.

[thunder38]

Going into the final week of CCIW action, here are the standings:

Team	Record	Next opponent
Augustana	12-6	Millikin
North Park	12-6	Wheaton
North Central	11-7	Carthage
IL Wesleyan	11-7	Elmhurst
Wheaton	9-9	North Park
Elmhurst	9-9	IL Wesleyan
Carthage	7-11	North Central
Millikin	1-17	Augustana

Only two teams, Millikin and Carthage, have been mathematically eliminated.  Here are the tie-breakers among the six teams that are still in the running for a conference tournament bid:

Augustana: holds the TB over North Park, Wheaton, North Central, and Elmhurst
North Park: holds the TB over North Central, IL Wesleyan, and Elmhurst
North Central: holds the TB over IL Wesleyan and Wheaton
IL Wesleyan: holds the TB over Augustana and Wheaton
Wheaton: holds the TB over Elmhurst
Elmhurst: holds the TB over North Central

By my calculations (feel free to double-check!!), to qualify for the tournament, here is what needs to happen for each team:

Elmhurst would need to sweep IL Wesleyan and hope that either North Park takes two of three from Wheaton or Carthage takes two from North Central
Wheaton would need to sweep North Park and hope that either North Central or IL Wesleyan gets swept
IL Wesleyan would need to win one against Elmhurst
North Central would need to win one against Carthage and hope that Elmhurst loses one against IL Wesleyan
North Park would need to win one against Wheaton or hope that either Carthage or Elmhurst takes two of three.
Augustana has clinched a berth, since the worst they could finish is 12-9 -- tied with Wheaton and Elmhurst if both these teams would sweep, and Augie holds the TB over both.

Wheaton just needs to sweep North Park and it doesn't matter what else happens in the other series as it would draw Wheaton and NPU into a tie and Wheaton would hold the tie breaker. If more than two teams end up in a fourth place tie, Wheaton is in and North Park is out regardless of the other teams.

[mr_b]

Going into the final week of CCIW action, here are the standings:

Team	Record	Next opponent
Augustana	12-6	Millikin
North Park	12-6	Wheaton
North Central	11-7	Carthage
IL Wesleyan	11-7	Elmhurst
Wheaton	9-9	North Park
Elmhurst	9-9	IL Wesleyan
Carthage	7-11	North Central
Millikin	1-17	Augustana

Only two teams, Millikin and Carthage, have been mathematically eliminated.  Here are the tie-breakers among the six teams that are still in the running for a conference tournament bid:

Augustana: holds the TB over North Park, Wheaton, North Central, and Elmhurst
North Park: holds the TB over North Central, IL Wesleyan, and Elmhurst
North Central: holds the TB over IL Wesleyan and Wheaton
IL Wesleyan: holds the TB over Augustana and Wheaton
Wheaton: holds the TB over Elmhurst
Elmhurst: holds the TB over North Central

By my calculations (feel free to double-check!!), to qualify for the tournament, here is what needs to happen for each team:

Elmhurst would need to sweep IL Wesleyan and hope that either North Park takes two of three from Wheaton or Carthage takes two from North Central
Wheaton would need to sweep North Park and hope that either North Central or IL Wesleyan gets swept
IL Wesleyan would need to win one against Elmhurst
North Central would need to win one against Carthage and hope that Elmhurst loses one against IL Wesleyan
North Park would need to win one against Wheaton or hope that either Carthage or Elmhurst takes two of three.
Augustana has clinched a berth, since the worst they could finish is 12-9 -- tied with Wheaton and Elmhurst if both these teams would sweep, and Augie holds the TB over both.

Wheaton just needs to sweep North Park and it doesn't matter what else happens in the other series as it would draw Wheaton and NPU into a tie and Wheaton would hold the tie breaker. If more than two teams end up in a fourth place tie, Wheaton is in and North Park is out regardless of the other teams.

If Wheaton sweeps NP and Carthage and Elmhurst also sweep, Wheaton and NP would both be at 12-9 and North Central and Wesleyan would be at 11-10.  Elmhurst would qualify with a 12-9 record as well.

[BlueJay Boy]

BigPoppa,

There is another Carthage fan on here but he is hiding in the shadows. There is something wrong in Kenosha. I saw them play at Wheaton and even though they won - it was a real struggle. They are below average at the plate and that is rare for a Redmen team, they have always booted the ball in the field and they were average on the mound. We all know it starts with recruiting. I am not a fan of the cheer squad from Chicago, but you can not deny that Coach Johnson has gone out and gotten players. The days of the talent walking into Carthage are over, I don't buy the tuition argument, all the schools in the CCIW are fairly expensive, I think the staff has to get to work!

One mans opinion

[Mr. Ypsi]

Augie, NPU (both 13-6; Augie has the tie-break), and NCC and IWU (both 12-7) are the four tourney teams, after today's games.  Who plays whom, and where (probably at Augie), will be determined tomorrow.

[jester13]

Should be an interesting tournament. NPU would be tough to beat. Saw NC play and their pitching seems to be pretty tough. Did not watch Augustana and IWU has struggled down the stretch. Should be fun.

[Gregory Sager]

I couldn't believe that Millikin had the lead going into the bottom of the 8th last night at Augie and coughed it up. Big Blue, you're a tease!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I doubt the first game in Bloomington will go the full 9 innings - IWU is up 15-4 after five.

The game has continued into the 6th, with the Blue Jays scoring two (so far) and in the process knocking Hart out of the game.  I take it the mercy rule doesn't kick in until after 7?

[Gregory Sager]

Yes, the mercy rule requires seven ABs by the losing team.

Augie's a better bet to win by mercy rule right now than is IWU. The Doggies are up, 15-5, in the sixth. Grant Stewart has 6 RBI in this game.

NCC and Carthage are going into extras in a wild and wooly 10-10 affair. The Red Men blew a 3-1 lead, and the Cards blew a 10-4 lead in this one.

NPU leads Wheaton, 4-1, in the eighth, in the only CCIW game thus far that appears to feature actual pitching.

[Gregory Sager]

NPU tanked it, losing 5-4. Vikings closer Matt Peterson, who has been Mr. Reliable all season long, came on with two out and one on in the eighth and the Vikings up, 4-1, and couldn't manage to get a batter out. Just one of those days for him, I guess. For the second week in a row, Alex Silverthorne pitched a great game and had nothing to show for it at the end of the day. He allowed only four hits and struck out what is I believe a career-high 12 batters (Mr. B will correct me if I'm wrong about that) in 7.2 IP. But give credit to Wheaton's Matt Kaufman, who kept his team in the game by holding the Park close.

Five of North Park's seven CCIW losses have been by one run.

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage won a crazy game over NCC in Kenosha in 11 innings, 12-11. The other two games, to nobody's surprise, were seven-inning skunk jobs; Wesleyan over Elmhurst, 17-7, and Augustana over Millikin, 16-6.

Augustana has now clinched a share of the CCIW title. Congrats are due to Greg Wallace & Co., because this is the first time since 1974 that the Doggies have won a CCIW baseball title. For a program that's been as consistently good as Augie's over the years to come up empty for so long has been astonishing.

I hold out very little hope that the Big Blue will keep Augie from clinching the title outright in the nightcap. I think that the Big Blue probably shot their bolt in last night's close loss.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Yes, the mercy rule requires seven ABs by the losing team.

Augie's a better bet to win by mercy rule right now than is IWU. The Doggies are up, 15-5, in the sixth. Grant Stewart has 6 RBI in this game.

NCC and Carthage are going into extras in a wild and wooly 10-10 affair. The Red Men blew a 3-1 lead, and the Cards blew a 10-4 lead in this one.

NPU leads Wheaton, 4-1, in the eighth, in the only CCIW game thus far that appears to feature actual pitching.

Yep.  Elmhurst got 3 in the 6th, but IWU came right back with 2 more in the bottom of the inning.  After the Jays were held hitless in the top of the 7th, the Titans mercied 'em 17-7.

Matt Hart got the win despite a very bad outing (7 earned runs in 5+ innings); Sean Coonan let in the two runners he inherited, but was otherwise very effective in relief.  Several batters had excellent days, led by Nick Hahn who went 4 for 4, scored 4 runs, and drove in 3.  Despite the 24 combined runs, Bobby Czarnowski had the only homer in the game (his two week slump has pretty well eliminated any chance at a triple crown, but I'd assume his average is back above .400, going 2 for 4 yesterday, and 2 for 4 again today).